Water for Elephants Broadway

Water for Elephants

Run Time:
2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission
Ages: 11+
Opened: March 21, 2024

Upcoming Schedule:

Tuesdays at 7pm
Wednedays at 2pm and 8pm
Thursdays at 7pm
Fridays at 7pm
Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm
Sundays at 3pm

Buy Tickets Tickets: from $63

Water for Elephants - Broadway Tickets, News, Info & More

The critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS comes to vivid life on Broadway in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical.

After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.

Directed by Tony Award®️ nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo), with a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher) adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel, and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co., WATER FOR ELEPHANTS unites innovative stagecraft with the very best of Broadway talent in an authentic and deeply moving new musical that invites us all to give ourselves to the unknown.

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Water for Elephants

‘Water for Elephants’ Review: A Sanitized Circus on Broadway
4 / 10

Still, the largely pasteurized manner in which the musical depicts the often-sordid lives of circus folk of the period lends “Water for Elephants” an anodyne weightlessness, at least until the denouement. I’m not sure if a more faithful adaptation of the book would make for a better musical—although John Kander and Fred Ebb, in their heyday, might have taken a good crack at it—but it certainly would have made for a more provocative and adventurous one.

REVIEW: Broadway’s WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Says “Come to the Circus!”
9 / 10

They fly through the air with the greatest of ease… literally. Right in front of your eyes is the show within the show – the circus. The most astonishing artistry included acrobatics, hand-balancing, tossing partners, aerials, gymnastics, trapeze, clowning, juggling and pole dancing. All interwoven into a big bang of a Broadway book with music and choreography. It was stunning to see the exquisite work, to hold your breath as the kinkers performed their magic moves. And the puppets. The menagerie of circus animals was created in individual splendor, each handled by their own puppeteer. But nothing was more riveting than the emergence of the star elephant, Rosie. One huge leg at time, she stomped her way across the stage. Then, the entire elephant… appeared! That tremendous puppet was so relatable, we felt the same kinship with Rosie as the kinkers.

Video: Get a First Look at WATER FOR ELEPHANTS on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 29, 2024


Get a first look at footage of Water for Elephants on Broadway!

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Will Release Original Broadway Cast Recording; Listen to the First Two Songs!
by Stephi Wild - April 26, 2024


The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Water for Elephants will be released on Friday, May 17. The first two singles, “Wild” and “Silver Stars,” are available today, Friday, April 26.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Releases New Block of Tickets Through February 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 22, 2024


A new block of tickets is now on sale for the new Broadway musical WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Global Sanctuary For Elephants & WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Forge Partnership For Captive Elephant Welfare
by A.A. Cristi - April 16, 2024


Sanctuary for Elephants and the new Broadway musical, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, have joined forces to shed light on the harsh reality suffered by thousands of captive elephants worldwide and to amplify advocacy efforts for the welfare of these highly intelligent and social creatures.

Interview: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS' Shana Carroll is Bringing Circus to Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 11, 2024


Read BroadwayWorld's exclusive interview with Shana Carroll, the co-choreographer and circus designer for Water for Elephants on Broadway. Learn about how the worlds of theatre and circus came together for the show!

Exclusive: How Rick Elice Found the Heart of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
by Robert Bannon - April 5, 2024


Welcome to another Edition of The Roundtable on BroadwayWorld. This week we are talking about writing the book of a musical with someone who changed the game. Rick Elice is the go-to writer for musical biographies after he co-wrote Jersey Boys. That show ushered in a new musical to Broadway and things have never been the same.

Video: On the Opening Night Red Carpet for WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
by Nicole Rosky - March 28, 2024


In this video, watch as BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge hits the red carpet with special guests, including: Andrew Rannells, Katie Brayben, Christopher Fitzgerald, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jaquel Spivey, Jessica Vosk, and more!

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Wins Second-Ever Pony Award for Animal-Friendly Theater Production
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 27, 2024


And the Pony goes to … Water for Elephants! PETA is awarding the production team with its second-ever Pony Award—the organization’s play on a Tony, honoring the most animal-friendly theater productions.

Video: Go Inside Opening Night of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
by Nicole Rosky - March 25, 2024


In this video, watch as the new musical Water for Elephants celebrates its opening night at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway.

Video: Watch the WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Opening Night Curtain Call from the Wings
by Blair Ingenthron - March 24, 2024


Watch the cast of Water for Elephants take their opening night curtain call from the wings in the video here!

Photos: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Cast Takes Opening Night Bows
by Bruce Glikas - March 22, 2024


The circus is back in town and on Broadway! The stars aligned on 45th Street last night as the new musical Water for Elephants celebrated opening night. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special occasion and we are taking you inside the first offical curtian call.

Photos: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Company Celebrates Opening Night
by Bruce Glikas - March 22, 2024


The stars aligned on 45th Street last night as the new musical Water for Elephants celebrated opening night. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special occasion and we are taking you inside the festivities with the cast and creative team here.

Review Roundup: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Opens On Broadway- See What the Critics Are Saying!
by A.A. Cristi - March 21, 2024


Come one, come all to the new big-top Broadway musical WATER FOR ELEPHANTS opening at Broadway's Imperial Theatre tonight! See what the critics had to say about their trip to the circus! Read the reviews!

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS on Broadway- A Complete Guide
by Sidney Paterra - March 22, 2024


Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about Water for Elephants on Broadway. Check out all the details here.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Cast Album Will Be Recorded Next Week; Released on Ghostlight Records
by Blair Ingenthron - March 20, 2024


GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has announced plans for an original cast recording of the new Broadway musical Water for Elephants. Learn more here!

Video: Watch Grant Gustin & Isabelle McCalla Perform 'Wild' From WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
by Michael Major - March 13, 2024


Grant Gustin and Isabelle Mccalla appeared on GMA3: What You Need to Know this afternoon to perform 'Wild' from Water For Elephants. Watch the video now! The performance followed their appearance on Good Morning America, where Gustin and Paul Alexander Nolan performed 'The Lion Has Got No Teeth.'

Video: Watch WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Perform 'The Lion Has Got No Teeth' on GMA
by Michael Major - March 12, 2024


Watch a video of the Broadway cast of Water For Elephants performing 'The Lion Has Got No Teeth' on Good Morning America. The performance features Grant Gustin, who makes his Broadway debut in the musical, and Outer Critic Circle Award nominee Paul Alexander Nolan.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS to Perform on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Michael Major - March 11, 2024


Water For Elephants is performing on Good Morning America this week. The cast includes Grant Gustin, Isabelle McCalla, Gregg Edelman, Alexander Nolan, Stan Brown, and more. The episode will also feature an interview with Jenifer Lewis and Taylor Swift announcing a new song from “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)” on Disney+.

Photos: First Look at WATER FOR ELEPHANTS on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - March 8, 2024


All new photos have been released from the new Broadway musical, Water For Elephants, now playing at the Imperial Theatre! Check out the photos of the cast in action here!

Grant Gustin's Theatre Roots: From GLEE to THE FLASH to Broadway
by Stephi Wild - March 21, 2024


Grant Gustin, who is making his Broadway debut this season in Water For Elephants, is best known for his role on the successful series The Flash. But did you know that Grant Gustin got his start in the theatre? Learn more about Grant Gustin's theatre roots here!

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Cancels March 1 Performance
by A.A. Cristi - March 1, 2024


The new Broadway musical “Water for Elephants” has canceled its Friday, March 1 performance due to technical difficulties.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS to Launch Tent Talkback Series With the Creative Team
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 29, 2024


WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is launchig their Tent Talkback Series with members of the creative team following selected Saturday matinees at the Imperial Theatre. Learn more about the series!

Video: What is PigPen Theatre Co.? Meet the Creators of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
by Nicole Rosky - March 2, 2024


Who are the seven composers who made Water For Elephants sing? Meet the men of PigPen Theatre Co.! Watch in this video.

Photos & Video: Inside WATER FOR ELEPHANTS' First Preview Curtain Call
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 26, 2024


Check out photos and videos from the first preview of Water for Elephants on Broadway! Learn how to purchase tickets to the show.

Character Breakdown: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Cast Unpacks Their Roles
by Nicole Rosky - February 25, 2024


In this video, watch as the cast of Water for Elephants on Broadway explains what their characters are all about.

Water for Elephants FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Water for Elephants have there been?
Water for Elephants has had 1 productions including Broadway which opened in 2024.
What theatre is Water for Elephants playing at on Broadway?
Water for Elephants is playing at the Imperial Theatre (Broadway), which is located at 249 West 45th St. New York.
How do I get Rush Tickets for Water for Elephants on Broadway?

Rush Tickets:

Price: $49
Where: Imperial Theatre box office (249 West 45th Street) box office. The box office is open 10AM-8:30PM Monday through Saturday and 12-6PM on Sunday.
Limit: Two per customer.
Restrictions: Locations and number of tickets based on availability; seats may be partial view. 

Does Water for Elephants on Broadway have a daily lottery?

Lottery Tickets:

Price: $40
Where: The Imperial Theatre box office (249 West 45th Street).
When: Entry begins two hours prior to the curtain with the drawing 90 minutes prior to curtain. 
Limit: Two per customer.
Restrictions: Locations and number of tickets based on availability; seats may be partial view. 

How long has Water for Elephants been running on Broadway?
Water for Elephants opened at the Imperial Theatre (Broadway) on Thursday Mar 21, 2024 and has now been running for 1 month.
What awards has Water for Elephants been nominated for?
Water for Elephants has been nominated for several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical, Outstanding Puppetry, and Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards. The production was also nominated for Outstanding Production of a Musical at the Drama League Awards. Additionally, the show received nominations for Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and Outstanding Video/Projections at the Outer Critics Circle Awards.

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